Adam Bentley.

REINBECK – Late in the day on Monday, Oct. 27, the Gladbrook-Reinbeck school district posted on social media that Adam Bentley recently announced his intention to run as a write-in candidate for the director vacancy. The newspaper is printing in full Bentley’s Q&A as posted by the school district.

G-R School Board At-Large To Fill a Vacancy (Write in 1)

Adam Bentley

1) Why are you running for the school board, and what do you hope to achieve if elected?

I’m running for the school board because I believe the long-term sustainability of our district is essential to the health of our community and the success of our children. Since moving here in 2019, my wife, Niki, and I have been continually impressed by how the community comes together and how people show up to support one another and invest their time and energy to make our schools and neighborhoods stronger. As parents of a two-year-old, we’re deeply committed to ensuring that same spirit endures for the next generation. I bring an analytical and collaborative approach to problem-solving, always looking ahead while learning from the past.

2) What experience and qualifications do you have that make you a suitable candidate for the school board?

I have a varied background in local government administration, education, planning, and strategy. I’ve worked as an assistant city manager in several city manager offices around the Midwest and currently work as a planner and strategist. I taught government and management at Buena Vista University for eight years and own a small company.

I serve as vice president of the Reinbeck Lions Club, vice chair of the Grundy County Community Foundation, and as a member of the Reinbeck Development Committee. I earned my B.A. in political science and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Northern Iowa, as well as an M.B.A. from Texas A&M-Commerce. I strive to be a thoughtful, collaborative, and forward-thinking member of the community, qualities I’ll bring to the issues facing the district.

3) What is your vision for improving our school district and addressing its most pressing issues?

Our district and communities remain at a crossroads. Long-term infrastructure deficits challenge not only our district but also the future of our children and towns. We must secure that future. Beyond addressing infrastructure needs, we must continue to be a district where families want to send their children and where people want to work and invest in the future. Our focus should be on preparing our students for the world ahead and giving them the tools to think critically, regardless of the path they choose after graduation.

4) How do you plan to engage and collaborate with parents, teachers, and the broader community to improve the quality of education in our district?

Trust, openness, and follow-through are the values stakeholders expect in their board members. Having worked with elected officials throughout my career, I understand that listening and being an active member of the community help build relationships and foster engagement. You must meet people where they are and let them give voice to the issues they care about whether that’s at a community meeting, the grocery store, or a listening session.

5) What initiatives or innovative approaches do you plan to introduce or support to enhance the educational experience in our district?

As the market landscape evolves and the needs of our communities and employers change, we must prepare our students accordingly. Much of the innovation in education comes from exceptional staff who live and breathe teaching every day, they are an invaluable resource, and we must support them. Other school districts are trying new and creative programs, and we should learn from their experiences. Building connections with employers, industries, and academic institutions will help us identify skill gaps and develop ways to fill them. Artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies will likely define many fields moving forward. However, in every case, we aren’t just training workers, we’re educating citizens, and we must remember that.

6) How would you balance the interests and concerns of various stakeholders while making decisions that affect the school district?

Decision-making must be a collaboration between listening to stakeholders and blending the shared values of our community to reach a balanced outcome.

In that regard, a board member must be:

1. Accessible and open to all voices

2. Committed to deeply understanding the issues facing the board

3. Trustworthy and transparent, maintaining credibility with the public

4. Focused on students and their success

5. Solution-oriented and willing to seek common ground

Balancing interests means that not everyone will be pleased, but decisions must always be open, thoughtful, and in the best interests of the district and the community.